U.S. patent number 6,006,161 [Application Number 08/864,620] was granted by the patent office on 1999-12-21 for land vehicle navigation system with multi-screen mode selectivity.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Aisin AW Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Kiyohide Katou.
United States Patent |
6,006,161 |
Katou |
December 21, 1999 |
Land vehicle navigation system with multi-screen mode
selectivity
Abstract
A land vehicle navigation apparatus provides a present location
map and various easily understood guidance information items in
conformity with the environmental criteria of a route. The
navigation apparatus includes information storage for storing map
data as to route search, route guidance, and other guidance data, a
present position detector for detecting the present position of the
vehicle, an input device for inputting commands and information for
route search and route guidance, and a display monitor unit for
displaying a guidance screen with a map and other information
relating to the route search and route guidance in a one-screen
mode, or in a multiple-screen mode. A display controller responds
to an input command via the input device, reads guidance data from
the information storage, and controls the display of resultant read
data on the display unit. Changes between the one-screen mode and
the multiple-screen mode may occur with the screen of the
one-screen mode of the display corresponding to one screen of the
multiple-screen mode and a present-location map screen
corresponding to another screen.
Inventors: |
Katou; Kiyohide (Anjo,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Aisin AW Co., Ltd. (Anjo,
JP)
|
Family
ID: |
16489577 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/864,620 |
Filed: |
May 28, 1997 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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Aug 2, 1996 [JP] |
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8-204380 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
701/410; 340/990;
340/995.11; 340/988; 345/581; 345/418; 701/432; 701/454 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C
21/36 (20130101); G08G 1/0969 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G08G
1/0969 (20060101); G01C 21/34 (20060101); G01C
21/36 (20060101); G06G 007/78 (); G08G
001/123 () |
Field of
Search: |
;701/200,207,208,209,210,211,212 ;340/988,990,995 ;73/178R
;342/357,457 ;345/133 |
Foreign Patent Documents
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4-335390 |
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Nov 1992 |
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JP |
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7-217865 |
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Aug 1995 |
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JP |
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7-249969 |
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Sep 1995 |
|
JP |
|
7-249227 |
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Sep 1995 |
|
JP |
|
8-107921 |
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Apr 1996 |
|
JP |
|
Primary Examiner: Louis-Jacques; Jacques H.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Oliff & Berridge, PLC
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A navigation apparatus, comprising:
storage means for storing information for use in providing route
guidance to a vehicle operator, said information including map data
for route search and route guidance, as well as other guidance
data;
detector means for detecting a present vehicle position;
input means for inputting commands and information for route search
and route guidance;
display means for visually indicating maps and guidance images
relating to route search and route guidance, in a specified display
mode being one of a full-screen mode and a multiple-screen mode
that permits simultaneous presentation of a plurality of divided
screens including at least a first screen and a second screen;
display control means for changing the full-screen mode to the
multiple-screen mode in order to correspond at least a portion of a
screen of the full-screen mode to the first screen of the
multiple-screen mode and display a navigation related image on the
second screen of the multiple-screen mode;
wherein when changing to the multiple-screen mode during route
guidance, the display control means is responsive to receipt of
criteria of a present vehicle position, for displaying on the first
screen, one of a schematic diagram, representative of a travel
image with three-dimensional visual effects, and an architectural
structure shape map image, indicative of a shape of an
architectural structure.
2. The navigation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display control
means causes the display means to visually indicate the schematic
diagram on the first screen when a vehicle is on a highway.
3. The navigation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display control
means causes the display means to display the architectural
structure shape map image on the first screen when a vehicle is
within populated urban areas.
4. An apparatus for calculating a desired geographical route
between locations and for providing navigation route guidance to an
operator of a land vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
storage means for storing information including relevant road maps
data for use in effecting route search and route guidance, and
other guidance data;
detector means for detecting a present vehicle position;
input means for allowing the operator to enter commands and data
for route search and route guidance, including route preference for
a route or routes to be calculated;
display means for providing a visual display of reference images
concerning route search and route guidance, including maps,
graphics and messages; and
display control means operatively coupled to the storage means, the
detector means, the input means and the display means, for
controlling operation of the display means for changing between a
full-screen mode and a multiple-screen mode and permitting
simultaneous presence of a first and a second divided screen;
wherein, the display control means responds to an entry of an input
command via said input means for reading guidance data from the
storage means and for controlling display of read data at the
display means by causing the display means to visually indicate a
main reference image representative of the read guidance data in
the full-screen mode and, in the multiple-screen mode, causing the
display means to continuously display at least part of the main
reference image on the first screen while letting the second screen
display a subsidiary reference image indicative of automatically
selected additional information that is pertinent to the main
reference image.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein where the display means
visually displays a road map containing a present vehicle position
at or near a center thereof in the full-screen mode, the display
control means automatically selects, as the subsidiary reference
image displayed in the multiple-screen mode, a self-explanatory
image representative of detailed road system conditions around the
present vehicle position.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the self-explanatory image
includes a three-dimensional graphic representation of a presently
selected route containing a road path along which the vehicle is
presently traveling.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the present vehicle position
includes one of a present-location map and a detailed wide-area
map.
8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the self-explanatory image
includes a depiction reflecting planar shapes of several
architectural objects along a road path for travel around a present
vehicle position in cities or towns.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the depiction contains visual
emphasis using shading and descriptive legends added to
characteristic facilities along the road path.
10. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the display control means
forces, in the multiple-screen mode, the display means to provide
the first and second screens in a side-by-side manner.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said display control means
allows the display means to visually indicate an array of function
button images, operative upon manual activation by the operator, to
specify a desired function during route guidance.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the button images include a
screen-mode change command switch component operatively coupled to
the display control means, and wherein the display control means
responds to a manual activation of the switch component to cause
the display means to change between the full-screen mode and the
multiple-screen mode.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the display control means
changes contents of the function buttons between the full-screen
mode and the multiple-screen mode.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the display control means
comprises a digital image processing device.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the display means includes a
color monitor display unit.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the input means includes an
electrical touch-sensitive member operatively associated with the
color monitor display unit.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to electronic navigation systems, and more
particularly to a method and apparatus for providing navigation
route guidance information in audible and/or visible form. The
guidance information is provided to the operator of a land vehicle
along a desired route between a start location and a desired
destination as specified by the operator.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A variety of different navigation devices have been developed for
providing the operator or user of a land vehicle with adequate
guidance information along a route of travel. For example, one
prior art device performs a route search to a target destination,
attaining visible and/or audible guidance of a route to the
destination by the use of maps. Another prior art device displays
only a map covering a certain range with the vehicle's present
position as its center point.
Conventional navigation systems with route search and guidance
functions may include systems for performing concise and simple
guidance by displaying a limited amount of information such as the
distance to a next-to-turn road intersection during travel and
guidance along a presently recommended route.
Another system is disclosed, for example, in Published Unexamined
Japanese Patent Application (PUJPA) No. 4-335390. This system is
capable of simultaneously providing the positional relationship of
a destination and the present position of the vehicle and its
surroundings by making use of dual screens which permit visual
indication of a wide-area map covering both the present location
and the destination along with a precise or detailed map around the
present position.
A further prior art navigation system is capable of providing
simple information concerning the direction of travel by displaying
travel images using three-dimensional (3D) visual effects.
Unfortunately, this system is designed to limit necessary guidance
information to a minimum and results in a "trade-off", as discussed
below. While this system may offer certain advantages, such as an
increase in the visibility of guidance information displayed, the
system suffers from a problem in that information tends to become
insufficient in some cases.
With the system designed to display a wide-area map and detailed
map using two divided screens, the vehicle operator may recognize
the positional relationship of the destination and the present
vehicle location in addition to the detailed information near or
around the present location. However, the display of detailed
information near the present vehicle location decreases by half in
the display region due to employment of the two-screen division
scheme. Another problem faced with this system is that
recognizability of detailed on-map information displayed decreases
with a reduction in the display scale (to enlarge a displayable
coverage on the screen).
With the system using a 3D-display scheme for display of travel
images, there is a drawback that a sufficient amount of information
will not be available on the maps.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a new and improved navigation system capable
of avoiding the problems of the prior art.
The invention provides a land vehicle navigation apparatus capable
of providing vehicle operators with navigation guidance information
with enhanced visibility and increased accuracy.
The invention also provides a land vehicle navigation route
apparatus capable of attaining, with enhanced versatility and
flexibility, a variety of relevant guidance information in
conformance with variable surrounding environmental conditions
displayed on a present-location map.
To attain the foregoing objects, the present invention provides a
specific land vehicle navigation apparatus including an information
storage device for storing map data as to route search, route
guidance and other guidance data, a present position detector for
detecting the present position of a vehicle, and an input device
for entering commands and information for route search and route
guidance. The apparatus also includes a display device for
displaying a guidance screen of maps and other items relating to
route search and route guidance either in a one-screen display mode
or in a two-screen display mode.
The terminology "one-screen" as used herein may refer to the full
screen area of the display device whereas the term "two-screen" may
refer to simultaneous activity of multiple screens. As will be
demonstrated in a later embodiment, such multiple divided screens
may be two coexisting screen regions.
The apparatus further includes a display controller which responds
to the entry of an input command via an input device for reading
guidance data from the information storage device and controls the
display of resultant read data at the display device. Importantly,
the display controller performs an alternate change or switching
between the one-screen display mode and two-screen mode with the
screen of the one-screen mode of the display device corresponding
to one screen of the two-screen mode while letting a present
position map screen correspond to the remaining screen of the
two-screen mode.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, when changing
to the two-screen display mode during route guidance, the display
controller is responsive to receipt of criteria for a present
position by displaying on the one screen a schematic diagram screen
representative of travel images using three-dimensional (3D) visual
effects or an architectural structure shape map screen indicative
of the shape of an architectural structure. The display controller
displays the schematic diagram screen on the one screen when the
vehicle is traveling on a highway or expressway. Alternatively, the
display controller displays the architectural structure shape map
screen on the one screen when the vehicle is traveling within towns
or cities. Where a characteristic object of interest is present
ahead of the present position, the display controller operates to
display a screen containing information relating to the
characteristic object.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention
will be apparent from the following more particular description of
preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of
navigation apparatus in accordance with the present invention;
FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagram showing an exemplary configuration of
guidance road data files as stored in an information storage
device;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the system control procedure as
implemented in the navigation apparatus embodying the
invention;
FIG. 4 is a depiction of guidance road number data as obtained by a
route search following the procedure of FIG. 3;
FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating an exemplary layout
arrangement of an image on a display screen;
FIGS. 6A and 6B are flowcharts of an example of a process for
switching from a one-screen display mode to a two-screen display
mode;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example of screen control processing
upon activation of scrolling operations;
FIG. 8 is a diagram of the display changes between the one-screen
mode and two-screen mode;
FIG. 9A is a flowchart of an example of a screen change process in
the one-screen mode;
FIG. 9B is a flowchart of another screen change procedure;
FIG. 10A is a flowchart of an example of a screen change process in
the two-screen mode;
FIG. 10B is a flowchart of another screen change procedure;
FIGS. 11A and 11B show exemplary schematic diagram screens for
displaying the direction of travel by use of a travel image in an
easily understood way; and
FIG. 12 is an illustration of an exemplary architectural
structure-shape map screen displaying the architectural structures
involved in a city in an easily understood way.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1, the navigation apparatus includes an
input/output (I/O) device 1, a present vehicle position detector
device 2, information storage 3, and central processing device 4
(referred to as the "main controller" hereinafter). The I/O device
1 permits selection and execution of several information items as
for route search and various other functions. The present position
detector 2 operates to detect the present position of a land
vehicle. The information storage 3 stores navigation data necessary
for calculation or computation of routes, display/speech guidance
data and programs (operating system and/or applications) as
required for execution of route guidance, etc.
The main controller 4 is operatively coupled to the I/O 1, present
position detector 2, and storage 3. The main controller 4 controls
the entire system, and provides route guidance information audibly
and visibly to a vehicle operator along a desired navigation route.
In other words, controller 4 performs any necessary display/speech
guidance procedure routines as required to execute route search
routines and route guidance and provides controls over the entire
system operation.
The I/O device 1 instructs the main controller 4 to execute
navigation processing in response to the vehicle operator's intent
while permitting the production of a printed output or "hard copy"
of the processed data. This enables both input of any desired
destination location and output of required route guidance
information in an audible and/or visible manner upon a request from
the vehicle operator. To attain these functions, I/O device 1
includes a data/instruction entry device for inputting a request
for routine guidance. This device may be a touch-sensitive panel 11
and may include manual switches for permitting the input of the
destination by, for example, the use of telephone numbers and the
coordinates on a map.
The data/instruction entry device may alternatively be a detachable
or remote control unit, as necessary. The I/O device 1 also has an
output section, which includes a visual display unit 12, a printer
13 and a speaker 16. The display unit 12 has its screen associated,
with the touch panel 11. Display unit 12 visually indicates input
data and automatically displays route guidance in response to a
request from the vehicle operator. The printer 13 outputs data
processed by the main controller 4 and data stored in the
information storage 3. The speaker 16 audibly provides route
guidance information and associated data by issuing guidance from
prerecorded voices.
The I/O device 1 further includes a speech recognition apparatus
for enabling speech input and a record-card reader device for
reading data prestored in an integrated circuit card or magnetic
card as needed. In addition, the data communication apparatus can
be further implemented to allow data communications with associated
information sources, including a personal computer, that may
prestore user-specific data, such as map data and destination
data.
The display unit 12 may include either a color cathode-ray tube
(CRT) monitor or color liquid crystal display (LCD) module, for
visual representation of all the navigation data as color images.
The various displays may involve a route display based on map data
and guidance data processed by the main controller 4, a range
diagram, a road-intersection diagram, and the like. The display
unit 12 also simultaneously displays "virtual" buttons for use in
setting any desired route guidance, for performing switching or
changeover operations of guidance screens during route guidance,
and selection/activation of various functions. In addition,
intersection information for certain road intersections through
which the vehicle is expected to pass is color-displayed on a
"pop-up" range diagram window which will pop up on the screen when
required.
The display unit 12 is embedded inside the dashboard near the
driver's seat in the vehicle, enabling a vehicle operator to view
and verify his or her vehicle's present location and acquire
necessary information concerning a route along which the vehicle is
to travel. The touch panel 11 is positioned to correspond to the
virtual function buttons displayed, thereby permitting execution of
the above functions in response to a signal input through the
vehicle operator's manual touch on any one of the buttons. The
configuration of the input signal generation device, as structured
from the buttons and touch panel 11, is known to those skilled in
the art to which the invention pertains, and a detailed explanation
thereof will hereby omitted from the description.
The present-position detector 2 detects or receives information as
to a present position of the vehicle. To this end, the
present-position detector 2 may include an absolute azimuth
direction sensor 24 including a terrestrial magnetism sensor or
sensors, a relative azimuth sensor 25 including a vehicle steering
sensor, gyro and the like, a distance sensor 26 for detection of
the elapsed distance of travel based on the rotation number of
wheels, and a global positioning system (GPS) radio receiver device
21 and associative communication device 5 which uses the GPS.
The communication device 5 may include a vehicle information and
commutation system (VICS) receiver 22 as a traffic information
acquisition device, and data transmitter/receiver device 23. The
VICS is the system which functions to transfer road traffic
information to land vehicles in a real-time manner by means of FM
multiplexer (character broadcast), radio-wave beacon, and/or
optical beacon. The FM multiplexer transfers rough or course
information in an area of extended coverage whereas the information
of the radio-wave beacon and optical beacon is precise or detailed
information with respect to a narrow range within a radius of
approximately 10 KM from the center of each beacon. With respect to
a link number associated with each road, the VICS transmission data
may consist of a traffic delay/congestion index that is indicative
of, for example, the degree of road conditions (such as closed
lanes, traffic jams, congestion, excess traffic, etc.), a traffic
jam position, traffic jam length, traffic control (such as
road-maintenance information, blocked lanes, etc.) and traveling
time (based on a certain speed). The data transmitter/receiver
device 23 may be either a portable or handheld telephone set or a
personal computer, which is responsive to the receipt of a vehicle
operator requests for necessary navigation information from a
remote traffic information center (for example, Automobile Traffic
Information System (ATIS)).
The information storage 3 is an external data storage unit which
makes use of external recording media including, but not limited
to, a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) drive, an optical
CD-ROM drive, an IC card reader or the like. Large-capacity data
recording media, such as CDs, IC cards, or any equivalents thereof,
are associated with storage devices for storing a navigation
program and data. The program may include an operating system (OS)
section and an application software section. The latter may
essentially consist of a map drawing section, route search section,
route guidance section, present-position calculating section,
destination setting operation control section, etc. Prestored
programs include a program for execution of route search procedures
or the like, a program for performing a display output control as
necessary for display guidance of a route or routes and audible
output control required for speech guidance of the same, and any
data required therefor, and further, display information data
necessary for route guidance and displaying of maps. Moreover, the
data contains all the information necessary for navigation, such as
map data, road intersection data, road/street data, several kinds
of guidance data items, and the like.
More practically, stored programs include a route-search software
program for defining a route and setting a destination and a
waypoint based on both position information from the
present-position detector 2 and an input signal from the touch
panel 11, a program for executing conversion of the desired route
data based on traffic information as acquired by the communication
device 5 and reexecuting the route search program, a route
information conversion software program for drawing a desired route
with 3D visual effects, a program for determining the timing and
content of a speech output along the route, etc. Respective
navigation functions may be performed by activating these programs
as stored in the information storage 3.
The main controller 4 may include a central processing unit (CPU)
40 for execution of a variety of operational or arithmetic
processes. Controller 4 also includes an electrically erasable and
programmable read only memory, such as a "flash" memory 41, for
storing one or more programs read from the CD of the information
storage 3. The flash memory 41 is a rewritable semiconductor memory
device of the type capable of being reprogrammed or updated upon
alteration or modification of the programs in the CD. The
controller 4 further includes a first ROM 43a that stores a memory
content management program for verifying and updating the programs
stored in the flash memory 41, a random access memory (RAM) 42 for
temporal storage of data under arithmetic processing and any route
guidance information such as the geographical coordinates of a
specified destination, route number, etc. A second ROM 43b stores
display information data as necessary for route guidance and map
display. Note that the program for execution of updating procedures
stated above may alternatively be stored in the external storage
device.
Moreover, the main controller 4 includes an image memory for
storage of image data for use in the screen display. A digital
image processor 45 is provided to obtain image data from the image
memory on the basis of a display control signal from the CPU 40 for
image processing and output to the display unit 12. A digital voice
data processor 46 responds to receipt of a speech output control
signal from the CPU 40 for combining by superimposition techniques
speech, audible phrase, self-explanatory sentence or voice message,
etc., as read from the RAM 42 and converts speech into a
corresponding analog signal for output to the speaker 16. A
communication interface 47 transmits and receives input/output
communication data. A sensor input interface 48 is connected to
obtain a sensor signal of the present-position detection device 2.
A clock 49 writes a date and time into internal dialog
information.
In the main controller 4, when data acquired by the
present-position detector 2 is input via the sensor input interface
48, the CPU 40 attempts to calculate the coordinates of a present
position when a predetermined time has elapsed, and then
temporality writes or programs the position into the RAM 42. The
coordinates of this present position is a result of the execution
of map-matching processing in view of any possible detection errors
of respective kinds of data items. An output value of each sensor
is always subject to correction. The route guidance is performed
with a screen display and audible speech output while the presence
or absence of the speech output remains selectable by the vehicle
operator.
As shown in FIG. 2, the guidance data file stored in the
information storage 3 is the data necessary for the route search
section to calculate a route and to perform route guidance. As
shown in FIG. 2A, the guidance road data file consists of
addresses, road numbers, road length, road attribute, shape data,
as and guidance for a respective number n. The road number is an
identification number which has been set independent of each
direction with respect to each road segment between adjacent branch
points or "way points", such as road intersections or the like,
along all the roads as contained on a map. The road attribute data
is specific data indicative of the kinds of roads or streets
involved, for identifying a road as an elevated way, subway road,
highway, national road, ordinary road, turnpike, etc. The shape
data is data indicative of the shape or pattern of a road. As shown
in FIG. 2B, where the individual road is subdivided into portions
at a plurality of nodes, the shape data may have coordinates
consisting of a combination of the longitudinal and latitude
variables with respect to each node number m. The guidance data may
consist of road intersection (or branch point) name, presence or
absence of traffic signal, landmarks (traffic signs, advertising
signs gas stations, convenience stores, etc.), caution data
(railroad crossings, tunnels, etc.), road-name data, and
destination data.
The overall flow of system processing of the navigation apparatus
is shown in FIG. 3. First, initialization processing is performed
causing the CPU 40 to read a navigation program out of the CD-ROM.
The program is then stored in the flash memory 41 (step S1) Then,
in deference to this navigation program, the present-position
detector 2 detects a present position and allows its nearby-region
map to be displayed with the detected present position being
identified as the center position (step S2). Next, a destination is
set using a telephone number, administrative address, facility
name, registration point, etc. (step S3). Thereafter, route search
processing is conducted from the present position to the
destination (step S4). More than one road segment along the route
may be displayed and set as guidance road number data, as shown in
FIG. 4. Upon determination of a route, display and/or speech output
of route guidance occurs until the vehicle reaches the destination
and the present-position detector 2 tracks the changes in a present
position (step S5).
The navigation apparatus embodying the present invention is
specifically structured to perform switching between the one-screen
display mode shown in FIG. 5A and two-screen mode shown in FIG. 5B.
In the two-screen mode, a present-location map screen with a
present location being its center, is displayed on one of the two
screens--for example, the right-side screen--while allowing the
remaining screen--for example, the left-side screen--to be used for
displaying, for example, an architectural structure-shape map, a
schematic diagram, a city map, or other available functions.
In the one-screen mode shown in FIG. 5A, the present-location map
screen is displayed. In the two-screen mode shown in FIG. 5B, the
architectural structure-shape map screen, containing the city map,
is displayed on the left-side screen, and the present location map
screen is displayed on the right-side screen. This arrangement
allows a layout of buttons at the lower side of the screen for
manual operation, whereby touching of one of these buttons or
depression of a corresponding hardware button, performs a
display-mode changeover and/or screen changeover enabling a call-up
of each function.
A description of the function of respective buttons shown in FIG.
5A are as follows. The "virtual" button "RETURN" on the display
screen either returns the present-location map to the screen during
scrolling or returns the original screen in a specified mode. The
"MAP DIRECTION" button changes between a north-directing map that
always regards the North as its upward direction and a map which
constantly regards a direction of travel as the upward direction.
The "ALL-ROUTE DISPLAY" button displays all the routes developed
after completion of a route search. "SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM DISPLAY"
displays a schematic diagram screen representing 3D-travel images
during route guidance. This button changes to "SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM
OFF" during display of the schematic diagram. The "TWO-SCREEN
DISPLAY" changes to the two-screen display during operation of the
one-screen display. During the two-screen display, this button
changes to "RE-SPEECH."
The "FACILITY DISPLAY" button displays marks representing
facilities at corresponding positions on a map, such as, for
example, gas stations, restaurants, fire stations, etc. During
display of such facilities, this button changes to "FACILITY
ERASE." A "VICS" button becomes active when VICS equipment is
connected. During display of VICS, the button changes to "VICS
ERASE." "DISPLAY ROAD SELECT" selectively displays highways when
the VICS display is active.
An example of the two-screen display mode is shown in FIG. 5B. In
this two-screen mode, a map having a present location at its center
is displayed. When the vehicle approaches a target intersection
where a change in the direction of travel is expected, the
right-side screen is assigned as a guidance screen for displaying
an enlarged or scale-magnified diagram of the intersection. The
left-side screen serves as a multi-function screen which may
display a schematic diagram for presentation of additional
information, an architectural structure-shape map screen containing
a city map, or any other display screens for a variety of different
purposes.
Of those buttons being displayed on the screen shown in FIG. 5B,
the "MENU" button calls is to be operated when calling a menu
screen whereas "OTHER FUNCTIONS" calls each kind of function.
"MEMORY LOCATION" button sets a location in the memory where a
destination or the like is to be stored or recalled from memory.
"RE-SEARCH" searches for different route or routes other than the
previously charted route upon the occurrence of a detour to the
destination. "RE-SPEECH" reissues the guidance voice for
confirmation.
"RIGHT SCREEN" controls the right-side screen. Upon execution of
this operation, it is possible to change a present-location map
being displayed on the right-side screen to a detailed wide-area
map and enable modification of the direction of the map.
Accordingly, in this mode, the "RETURN," "MAP DIRECTION," "DETAIL,"
and "WIDE-AREA" buttons are displayed and will be reset upon
activation of the "RETURN" button. Since it is also possible to
display the map on the left-side screen, it is also possible to
activate the "DETAIL" and "WIDE-AREA" buttons without having to
operate the "RIGHT SCREEN" button.
As previously discussed, since the operation may change in
correspondence with the display mode of the screen, the buttons to
be activated for execution will be suitably changed and set
accordingly.
The buttons illustrated are mere examples, and the button settings
may be freely modified in respective modes.
Screen changeover processing occurs as set forth below. First, the
basic process for changing from the one-screen mode to the
two-screen mode is as follows. As shown in FIG. 6A, for example,
when a map is displayed on the one screen (step S11), a
determination is made whether a two-screen switch operation signal
has been received (step S12). Upon receipt of the two-screen switch
operation signal, the initially displayed screen is displayed on
the left side while a present-location map screen is displayed on
the right-side screen (step S13).
Furthermore, after the changeover from the one-screen display mode
to the two-screen mode is completed, the system waits for the
vehicle to approach a target intersection at which the vehicle is
to turn, as shown in FIG. 6B (step S14). When the vehicle the
target intersection, the right-side screen changes from the
present-location map screen to an enlarged diagram of the target
intersection (step S15).
In addition, maps may be scrolled to find a map containing a
desired location onto the screen thereby changing to the two-screen
mode. In this situation, when the map is displayed on the one
screen as shown in FIG. 7 (step S21), in response to the operation
of the scroll key (step S22), the map on the screen moves as the
cursor moves (step S23). The system then determines whether a
two-screen switch operation signal is received (step S24). Upon
receipt of the two-screen switch operation signal, the left-side
screen displays the resultant scrolled screen while simultaneously
displaying a present-location map screen on the right-side screen
(step S25). If the scroll key is further operated (step S26), the
map on the left screen moves with the movement of the cursor (step
S27).
An explanation will now be given of one example in which a map and
a schematic diagram are displayed while changing between the
one-screen mode and two-screen mode in conjunction with FIGS.
8-10B.
Assume here that a map and a schematic diagram are prepared as
display screens. Also assume that the display mode is changed
between the one-screen mode and two-screen mode. In this case, as
shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to selectively change between a map
or a schematic diagram for display in the one-screen mode, and also
change to display either a combination of maps and map or a
combination of a schematic diagram and a map in the two-screen
mode. Here, as has been described previously, the right-side screen
in the two-screen mode is used for displaying guidance maps. This
screen displays a present-location map or displays an enlarged
intersection diagram screen when the vehicle nears an intersection
where turn is expected. On the other hand, the left-side screen is
assigned to display the various-function screens of a map display,
schematic diagram display, etc. When a change occurs between the
one-screen mode and two-screen mode, the screen of the one-screen
mode corresponds to the left-side screen of the two-screen
mode.
Another example of the transition process during changeover of
these simple screens, is discussed below. Assume that a map and a
schematic diagram are available as the display screen. By way of
example, consider that the map is being displayed in the one-screen
mode. As shown in FIG. 9A, the system checks to see if the
"SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM" button is selected (step S31). If the
"SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM" button was selected, then a schematic diagram
is displayed (step S32). If the schematic diagram is not selected
then the system further checks to see whether the "TWO-SCREEN"
button is selected (step S33). If the "TWO-SCREEN" button was
selected, the system switches to the two-screen mode so that the
map which was displayed in the one-screen mode is displayed on the
left-side screen while allowing a present-location map to be
displayed on the right-side screen (step S34).
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9B, where a schematic diagram is
being displayed in the one-screen mode, the system checks whether
the "MAP" button is selected (step S35). If the "MAP" button was
selected, a map is displayed (step S36). Where the "MAP" is not
selected, the system further checks to see if the "TWOSCREEN"
button is selected (step S37). If the "TWOSCREEN" button was
selected, the system changes to the two-screen mode so that the
schematic diagram which was displayed in the one-screen mode is now
displayed on the left-side screen while a present-location map is
displayed on the right-side screen (step S38).
Next, as shown in FIG. 10A, where maps are displayed on the both
screens in the two-screen mode, the system checks to see if the
"SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM" button is selected (step S41). If the
"SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM" button was selected, a schematic diagram is
displayed as the map on the left-side screen (step S42). If
"SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM" is not selected, the system further checks to
see if the "ONE-SCREEN" button is selected (step S43). If the
"ONE-SCREEN" button was selected, the system then changes to the
one-screen mode to display the map that was displayed on the
left-side screen (step S44).
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10B, in the two-screen mode, where
a schematic diagram is displayed on the left-side screen and a map
is displayed on the right-side screen. The system checks to see if
the "MAP" button is selected (step S44) If the "MAP" button was
selected, then a map is displayed in the alternative of the
schematic diagram on the left-side screen (step S46). When the map
is not selected, the system further checks to see if the
"ONE-SCREEN" button is selected (step S47). If the "ONE-SCREEN"
button was selected, the system then changes to the one-screen mode
and displays the schematic diagram which was displayed on the
left-side screen (step S48).
In this way, the navigation apparatus embodying the invention
operates to display in the one-screen mode, any one of the various
function screens in response to the selection of buttons. When
changing to the two-screen mode, the previous screen continues to
be displayed on the left-side screen while a guidance screen, such
as a present-location map, enlarged intersection diagram, etc. is
displayed on the right-side screen. Under this condition, various
function screens are displayed on the left-side screen in deference
to selection operations of the buttons in a manner similar to that
in the one-screen mode. When the display mode returns to the
one-screen mode from the two-screen mode, the left-side screen is
expanded to be displayed over the entire region of the screen. For
example, the guidance screen that was displayed on the right-side
screen, (a present-location map, enlarged intersection diagram,
etc. or the like) is displayed upon operation of the "RETURN"
button.
As noted above, in the two-screen mode, an architectural
structure-shape map screen, containing a schematic diagram screen
and city map, is displayed along with the present-location map
screen in a side-by-side manner. In this mode it becomes possible
to obtain useful and visibility-enhanced information such as 3D
visual-effect travel images, information as to the shapes of
architectural structures involved, etc., which is not obtainable by
use of the present location map, enlarged intersection diagram,
etc. Furthermore, by selection of screens in conformity with the
surrounding atmospheric conditions and travel criteria, it is
possible to provide additional information to the needs of the
driver. For example, the schematic diagram screen is selected when
the vehicle is on a highway and the architectural structure-shape
map screen is selected if the vehicle is within a city.
The schematic diagram screen is discussed below. This screen is
used, for example, in cases where a road is line-drawn using
curves, the road is displayed with 3D visual effects by
line-drawing a plurality of lines on the right and left sides of a
center line of the road, as shown in FIG. 11A. With such a
schematic diagram screen display, it becomes possible to confirm
the curvature of the road on the screen in a manner similar to that
of the vehicle's actual turn. Also, in addition to a 3D drawing of
the road as shown in FIG. 11B, a plurality of route information
items are displayed on a drawn map, for forward positions up to a
specified distance from the present vehicle position.
In addition, several names or titles are displayed in the forward
direction along the direction of travel, such as interchanges,
junctions, parking areas, etc. Distance remaining to a present
vehicle position to the certain title displayed, highway
information concerning road facilities such as gas stations, are
also displayed.
For displaying such a schematic diagram screen, a land vehicle
navigation apparatus as already proposed by the same applicant (see
PUJPA Nos. 7-217865, 8-107921, etc.) may be employed. Note here
that in the screen shown in FIG. 11B, while the information for
"MORIYAMA PA", is displayed which is the nearest parking area from
a present vehicle position, if the user designates "KASUGAI IC" or
"KOMAKI JCT", which are highway junctions further away, the system
then displays the "MORIYAMA PA" then display the highway
information of "KASUGAI IC" or "KOMAKI JCT." Accordingly, with this
schematic diagram screen, since a complicated map is not present
while 3D-displaying a present vehicle position and associated
specific route information concerning objects of the present
position, it is possible to easily confirm the objects while
driving.
As shown in FIG. 12, the architectural structure-shape map screen
displays the shapes of various types of so-called architectural
structures, including buildings (such as ordinary houses, office
buildings, apartment houses, fire stations, department stadiums,
hospitals, stations, etc.), facilities (such as towers, parks,
amusement parks, stadiums, etc.), bridges, roads and other
structures, along with their titles or names.
Those architectural structures which are depicted using hatching
patterns are ones for which the display form may be changed. In the
case of color display, these may be distinctly displayed by use of
colors, density, patterns and any possible combinations thereof.
Accordingly, the display form will be changed depending upon their
titles, data classification and height information. For example,
with regard to apartment buildings, it is possible to let a target
object in the region be displayed on a map and its characteristics
stand out if the building houses a larger number of tenants. In
addition, other architectural objects such as public facilities,
schools, parks municipal offices, stations and the like, are
displayed differently from ordinary ones.
For displaying such maps, an information guidance apparatus using
architectural structure shape maps that has been previously
proposed by the applicant (see PUJPA Nos. 7-249227 and 7-249969,
for example) may be employed.
The architectural structure shape map data may have a coordinate
array consisting of a plurality of coordinate values for use in
drawing and displaying the shape, names and numbers (addresses) of
each architectural structure.
Attribute information belonging to the architectural structures may
also be displayed, such as identification, height, constitution
(tenants) and telephone numbers. Accordingly, when reading data of
an architectural structure shape map, the shapes and names of
respective architectural structures are displayed in color
independently on the coordinate array. For example, for displays
based identifications, heights and other precise information items
(such as the scale of constitution), it is possible, upon selection
of certain architectural structure on the architectural structures
shape map, to search for information belonging to that
architectural structure and other related information for guidance.
Alternatively, a shape map may be displayed based on the
information belonging to the selected architectural structure with
selected architectural structure being at the center.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with
reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be understood by
those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in
form and detail may be made therein without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention.
For example, the foregoing illustrative embodiment is arranged to
display the center part of the screen available in the one-screen
mode on the left-side screen in the two-screen mode with the center
part remaining in the same size. However, the display may be
modified in such a way that the entire of the screen is displayed
with scale reduced, or alternatively the right-side screen and
left-side screen may be reversed.
In addition, the schematic diagram screen with 3D visual image
effects and the architectural structure shape map screen are
displayed together along with a present location map screen in the
two-screen mode. This may be modified so that where a
characteristic object is present ahead of the present vehicle
position, other kinds of screens are displayed containing
information relating to the object, including photographs, overview
diagrams, etc. Alternatively, the schematic diagram screen display
any commercial navigation program, while the architectural
structure shape map screen may be a city map, neighborhood map or a
superimposed image thereof. Further, the type of buttons to be
displayed at the lower region of the screen should not be limited
to the illustrative examples only, and may be freely modified when
appropriate.
As is apparent from the foregoing, according to the invention,
since the one-screen mode and two-screen modes are such that the
one-screen mode corresponds to one screen of the two-screen mode
and guidance information, such as a present-location map screen
and/or enlarged intersection diagram, is displayed on the remaining
display screen, it becomes possible using the two-screen mode to
simultaneously display on the guidance screen, several images
involving information as to the surrounding environment in the
direction of travel. For example, easily understood schematic
diagram screens, an architectural structure-shape map screen, such
as either city maps or neighborhood maps representing the shapes of
nearby architectural structures in an easy-to-see manner, an
information screen of any characteristic objects, etc., may be
displayed. This enables a successful presentation of information
items previously found to be impossible or difficult to be
displayed on the guidance screen.
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